Productive performance and physiological parameters of growing rabbits as affected by weaning age

Abstract EN

Main big problems which face meat production in commercial rabbit breeds are high mortality rate after weaning and decreased growth rate during fattening period of broiler rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the doe-offspring relationship through prolongation of weaning period on growth rate parameters and mortality percentages during high growth rate period (first 10 weeks of age in rabbits).

A total of 150 of growing bunnies rabbit of New Zealand White rabbit were divided into two groups.

The first group was weaned at 35 days of age (control group).

While, the second group was weaned at 60 days of age.

Growth rate measurements, mortality rate, blood metabolites levels and marketing weight at 10 weeks of age were determined.

Blood samples were collected to assay blood metabolites levels of total protein, total lipids, glucose, creatinine and urea nitrogen during experimental period in blood serum samples.

Data showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two groups in most of the studied traits.

Where, weaning at 60 days of age enabled growing rabbit pups to reach a higher body weight at marketing age (10 weeks).

Marketing body weight averaged 1.845 ± 0.48 (Kg) and 1.650 ± 0.35 Kg for delayed weaning and control group, respectively.

It could be concluded that weaning at 60 days of age is better to get a higher marketing weights and high economic efficiency values for rabbit meat production especially under extensive and semi-intensive rabbit breeding programs